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2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Silverado 2500 years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 81.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

409 reports with mileage · 40 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 116 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

449 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2007
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic

2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO BRAKE PROBLEM. CONTACT STATES BRAKES PULSATED IN REAR ROTORS. BRAKE WERE HEAVILY CORRODED AND DEALER REPLACED REAR ROTORS. *BF THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT SINCE THE USE OF ASBESTOS BRAKES HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED, BRAKE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE HAD BEEN REDUCED. THE DEALER WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT TH…

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2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO BRAKE PROBLEM. CONTACT STATES BRAKES PULSATED IN REAR ROTORS. BRAKE WERE HEAVILY CORRODED AND DEALER REPLACED REAR ROTORS. *BF THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT SINCE THE USE OF ASBESTOS BRAKES HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED, BRAKE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE HAD BEEN REDUCED. THE DEALER WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT THE PAD MATERIAL FORMS DEPOSITS ON THE ROTORS CAUSING THE SURFACE TO BECOME LESS SMOOTH AND EVENTUALLY GIVING A PULSATING SENSATION LEADING TO POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE. ON JULY 20, 2007 THE CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE PULSATING ISSUE AGAIN, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO NON-USE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DISAGREED WITH THEIR FINDINGS, STATING THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THE CONSUMER TOOK POSSESSION OF THE OLD ROTORS AND SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR ROTORS WERE WORN TWICE AS HARD AS THE FRONT ROTORS THAT WERE ORIGINAL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKES WERE PRODUCING THE MAJORITY OF STOPPING POWER ON THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE DEALER ORDERED A NEW LATCH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10212790

48,000 miles · Dec 17, 2007
Electrical System

2003 SILVERADO INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS FAILING. FIRST, 2 YRS AGO, IT WAS THE TACH FAILING NOW IT IS THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE OTHERS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AT TIMES. I DID RECEIVE A LETTER FROM GM 2 WEEKS AGO WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE I HAVE 87000 MI ON IT. CALL GM AND THEY SAID IT IS UP TO THE DE…

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2003 SILVERADO INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS FAILING. FIRST, 2 YRS AGO, IT WAS THE TACH FAILING NOW IT IS THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE OTHERS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AT TIMES. I DID RECEIVE A LETTER FROM GM 2 WEEKS AGO WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE I HAVE 87000 MI ON IT. CALL GM AND THEY SAID IT IS UP TO THE DEALER. THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT! IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE? DID GM PUT IT TO US AGAIN? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212157

73,000 miles · Dec 14, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE TIRES, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE WORN. GENERAL MOTORS INFORMED HIM THAT A DEALER NEEDED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED A FEE FOR THE INSPECTION. THE CUR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE TIRES, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE WORN. GENERAL MOTORS INFORMED HIM THAT A DEALER NEEDED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED A FEE FOR THE INSPECTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 01/08/08 *BF UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ODI #10211945

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2007
Unknown Or Other

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 50 MPH AND THE SPARE TIRE AND SUPPORT BRACKET CAME OFF THE TRUCK AND LANDED IN THE HIGHWAY. IT APPEARS THAT THE THE 1 BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE BRACKET AND TIRE TO THE TRUCK HAD BACKED OFF CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL TO THE GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211532

65,500 miles · Dec 7, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 03/13/08 *LJ.

NHTSA ODI #10211146

13,000 miles · Dec 4, 2007
Electrical System

ALL GAUGES STOPPED WORKING ON MY 2007 CHEVY SILVERADO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210808

48,663 miles · Nov 30, 2007
Power Train

THE EVENT LEADING UP TO IS WET WEATHER. THE TRANSMISSION WILL STICK IN ONE GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT. WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO CINDY CHEVORLET I WAS TOLD THAT PER G.M. POLICY THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE COMPUTER SHOWED A CODE FOR THE PROBLEM. THIS IS THE RESPONSE I GOT FROM THREE DEALERSHIPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210384

23,000 miles · Nov 15, 2007
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. LAST FALL, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ONLY OPERATE AT HIGH SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WASHER WOULD NOT PUMP FLUID AS WELL. AS OF LATE, THE FAILURE HAS WORSENED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. LAST FALL, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ONLY OPERATE AT HIGH SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WASHER WOULD NOT PUMP FLUID AS WELL. AS OF LATE, THE FAILURE HAS WORSENED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT NEEDED TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPUTERIZED CONTROL FOR THE WASHER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE $500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,150 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ODI #10209052

30,000 miles · Nov 13, 2007
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ON CRUISE CONTROL, THE SPEEDO WILL START TO CLIMB TO OVER 120MHP. AFTER SEVERAL IGNITION CYCLES THE SPEEDO WILL COME BACK DOWN AND WORK FINE FOR AWHILE. THIS PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. PROBLEM IS VERY INTERMITTENT-HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND ALWAYS CORRECTS ITS…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ON CRUISE CONTROL, THE SPEEDO WILL START TO CLIMB TO OVER 120MHP. AFTER SEVERAL IGNITION CYCLES THE SPEEDO WILL COME BACK DOWN AND WORK FINE FOR AWHILE. THIS PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. PROBLEM IS VERY INTERMITTENT-HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND ALWAYS CORRECTS ITSELF BEFORE I CAN GET IT IN FOR REPAIR- I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM- THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT. DANGEROUS PROBLEM---WHEN TOWING HEAVY LOADS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208837

72,259 miles · Oct 26, 2007
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT INDICATE PROPER SPEED. CAN BE AT 0MPH WHEN TRAVELING AT 55MPH. OR CAN BE AT 30MPH WHEN TRAVELING AT 55MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206955

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA04012 · Hydraulic Pump Failres

Opened Apr 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 28, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.